Tournament by the numbers

Handball rules are similar to tennis: When the player serving – by hitting the ball against the back wall – can make his or her opponent miss the ball as it bounces off the wall, the server gets a point. Whoever gets to 25 points first is the winner.

Here's a breakdown, by the numbers:

Number of matches played: More than 400

Number of spectators: At the height of Saturday's play, over 1,100 people.

Number of walls: Three. Four-wall is typically played indoors, the fourth wall being a ceiling.

Age range: 6 to 66

Three walls, one ball, a pair of hands and skill. That’s all the competitors needed to bring to the courts at Marina Park on Sunday for the 5th annual World Players of Handball Junior Three Wall Big Ball Nationals and 16-man Pro Shootout.

The handball tournament focused on big ball, a form of the sport that involves either a one-on-one or doubles game in which players serve a sphere roughly the size of a tennis ball. Players then have to alternate whipping it back and forth against a three-walled structure using only the palms of their hands.

As the noon sun approached, the games heated up, players diving not to miss a hit and wiping sweat from their faces.

Participants ranged in age from 6 to 66, and a crowd of at least 200 spectators shouted in support from the sidelines, where they’d hauled coolers and folding chairs from the parking lot to watch.

“With the outdoor culture here, (Southern California) is the hotbed of three-wall handball because of the weather and because the courts are in public parks, which makes it free to play,” said Dave Fink, youth donor and development director for WPH, who has seen the sport grow in recent years especially among kids.

Handball, which Fink calls the “oldest ballgame in the world,” is also played at indoor tournaments, which are usually quieter and afforded only to those who are members of athletic clubs.

But for last weekend’s tournament, talented players flocked to Huntington Beach – mostly from other California cities – to enjoy the community surrounding the outdoor sport. Over 400 matches were played over the weekend, with more than 1,100 people coming out to watch Saturday’s games.

Josiah Hernandez, 11, came down from Stockton with his father, Angel Hernandez, so they could both compete. Angel is one of the main handball organizers in Northern California. For Josiah, handball was something he learned through observing his dad.

“When I first started playing, it was interesting,” he said. “I just wanted to know what it was. I took a ball out of my dad’s backpack and started throwing it against a wall.”

Josiah, skinny with shaggy brown hair, started playing when he was 6 because it was a simple game to learn. Now, he approaches it as a strategic endeavor.

“Win or lose, I learn from my experience,” said Josiah, explaining that he hones in on his opponent’s weakness in every game.

Angel has played tournaments in New York and Tijuana and said the championship draws crowds to watch the pro players, which in turn showcases the juniors.

Many onlookers wore T-shirts from national handball tournaments from recent years, including one that read “LICENSE TO KILL,” picturing a California license plate that spelled out “HANDBALL.”

The height of Sunday’s events came when Samzon Hernandez of Los Angeles County faced off against Juan Santos of Orange County – an intense rivalry – in the pro final.

Hernandez dove to make several hits, grunting while skidding across the court and letting out shouts of anger any time Santos scored a point. The crowd, boisterous and casually chatty all morning, quieted down to watch, rapt with each play. While Santos had the home court advantage, Hernandez defeated last year’s Player’s Cup champ, 25-14.

In all age groups, the players were mostly men and boys, though Fink said more women are joining.

One former world champ from Canada, Jessica Gawley, has been playing the sport since she was 13 and came to Huntington Beach to observe the tournament. While handball seems to be thriving in Southern California, she said that in Canada, “in the last 20 years, it’s really dwindled.”

The event was the first junior nationals hosted by WPH and the fifth junior nationals tournament overall.

WPH No. 1 ranked Samzon Hernandez showed his skill and determinaton at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. Samzon won 25-13. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER
WPH No. 2 ranked Juan Santos picks up a low return during the final of the Pro Shootout at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER
WPH No. 2 ranked Juan Santos displays his intense focus during the Pro Shootout finals at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER
WPH No. 1 ranked Samzon Hernandez in the finals at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. Samzon won 25-13. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER
WPH No. 1 ranked Samzon Hernandez stretches for an overhead return in the Pro Shootout finals at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. Samzon won 25-13. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER
WPH No. 2 ranked Juan Santos stretches for a return in the Pro Shootout finals at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER
Mark Torres takes notes of the tournament results at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER
Miguel Valecia gives a glimpse of the up and coming talent as he competes in the Under-11 category at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER
Dan McCann goes for a return in the 45+ Doubles final at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER
Some spectators and friends enjoy the play at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER
Dan McCann, center with hat, goes for a kill shot as Fernando Velardez leans back out of the way during the 45+ Doubles final at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER
Torito Rocha gets off his shot in the Under-11 semifinal at the World Players of Handball 3 Wall Big Ball Junior Nationals and 16-Man Pro Shootout in Huntington Beach. Manuel Torres in the background awaits his shot. WAYNE MAH, FOR THE REGISTER

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